Cycling/mountain biking

Wales is a world-class destination for mountain biking, with five trails given A grades by the International Mountain Bicycling Association, the only places outside America to be awarded this accolade.

Wales is a world-class destination for mountain biking, with five trails given A grades by the International Mountain Bicycling Association, the only places outside America to be awarded this accolade.

Coed y Brenin, near Dolgellau, was singled out as the best in the UK, with Afan Argoed, Port Talbot, Gwydyr Forest, near Betws-y-Coed, Nant yr Arian and Cwmcarn, near Newport, also named among the world's best sites.

A combination of terrain, careful planning and building by mountain bikers and the Forestry Commission has led to the success of these sites, which bring in thousands of visitors a year and a multi-million-pound boost to the local economy.

In England the Forestry Commission has got several trail centres at the moment but none has got the man-made technical single track that Wales boasts.

Other mountain-bike centres include the Timberland trail in Bristol and volunteer-built trails including Cannock Chase in Staffordshire.

There are also discussions and plans for some dedicated route building at about five or six Forestry Commission sites in England.

The Wales Tourist Board has formed an action plan called Moving Up a Gear, a cycle tourism strategy for Wales, and the national cycle network covers both England and Wales.